Looking at the entirity of this essay, i noticed that Dyson is not necessarily evaluating Rap but giving the backround information on the history and ideas of he rap community. In some cases their are forms of artisitc principles but mainly the idea of backing up the ideals that come from rap musicians and their music. I dont necessarily agree with the idea that male and female bodies are a commodity, because the people who put themselves in these situations are making more money then we can believe.
In the situations list in this essay, Dyson does a good job of explaining raps problems with morals and the medias opinion on the damages and problems arising with the industry. Overall i think Dyson did a wonderful job of evaluationg many different standpoints, but i think that jumping from topic to topic, and not really staying with one idea. None the less i really enjoyed this essay
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Gangsta Rap & American Culture
Dyson's real purpose in writing this essay is not to evaluate rap music on artistic principles, but it is something more. Dyson evaluates the will, the images, and the culture of the black society. He talks about the need for hip-hop to come about. Gangsta rap gave hip-hoppers the chance to reveal their tragic and difficult lives. They could "represent" themselves. Then Dyson talks about the image that gangsta rap reveals. Rap describes black men as sexual outlaws and women as ho's. This is the stereotype of the black sexual identity. Then there is the culture, for many practices of the black society women are not treated equally, this is also the way it is in black church. Basically, all the critics before have criticized the sexism and misogyny of gangsta rap, but it has been evaluated by Dyson that gangsta rap is merely the truth of the black community in lyrics.
Gangsta Rap
I do not think Dyson's real purpose is to evaluate te music on artistic principles. I think Dyson is evaluating where the music came from and how the music originated. He mentions how for some people rap music is hard to listen to because of all of the name calling. Rap music also sets up for people to stereotype due to the words the music uses and the images. He also mentions that some rap songs have history behind the song. Some artists show their feelings and explain their life and let out their anger in a song.
Gangasta Rap
The point of Dyson's essay is not to evaluate or criticize Rap music on a artistic level, but to look at the underlying causes for Rap music and it's origins. The aspects that Dyson focused on were the forces that help Rap emerge, negative and positive black images, and harmful truths and beliefs that are practiced in society and in the black community.
Dyson first looks that the time period in which Rap was born. He claims that the conditions of the 70's and late 60's were the forces that help Rap to become what it was. It emerged as a voice for black people who were suffering during that period. Dyson also goes on to say that Rap was a way of "representing" where you came from.
Secondly Dyson talks about the images associated with Rap music. He believes that the sterotypes of black men as "sexual outlaws" and black women as "ho's" is burried in narritives and ancent sterotypes of black sexual identity. In ancient times black male and female bodies were viewed as commondies and object, and that is how they are now reflected in Gangsta Rap.
The third point that Dyson makes is that while Rap may be a bad representaion of the black community, the white community failes to address the underlying issues if these songs. Dyson's views Rap music as a cry for help and saids that communities should try and help fix the problem instead of being transfixed by the vulgor language.
These three points help to strength Dyson's point that Rap originated in real issues and truth.
Dyson first looks that the time period in which Rap was born. He claims that the conditions of the 70's and late 60's were the forces that help Rap to become what it was. It emerged as a voice for black people who were suffering during that period. Dyson also goes on to say that Rap was a way of "representing" where you came from.
Secondly Dyson talks about the images associated with Rap music. He believes that the sterotypes of black men as "sexual outlaws" and black women as "ho's" is burried in narritives and ancent sterotypes of black sexual identity. In ancient times black male and female bodies were viewed as commondies and object, and that is how they are now reflected in Gangsta Rap.
The third point that Dyson makes is that while Rap may be a bad representaion of the black community, the white community failes to address the underlying issues if these songs. Dyson's views Rap music as a cry for help and saids that communities should try and help fix the problem instead of being transfixed by the vulgor language.
These three points help to strength Dyson's point that Rap originated in real issues and truth.
Gangsta rap
Dyson's real purpose is not to evaluate rap music on artistic principles. Instead, he is evaluating it based on moral principles and values, and he focuses on its role in popular culture. The reasons that he gives against rap music have a basis in moral values, which is understandable considering his profession as a Baptist minister. However, I think that the deeper purpose in writing this essay is to examine the background of gangsta rap and to look at how it is related to historical and modern portrayals of black men and women. He is criticizing those who are against rap music only on grounds of its content and the actions of its performers. He encourages readers to take a closer look at the context of rap music and to consider its good qualities.
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